The Taster

With all the hubbub these days surrounding hyper-hoppy beers, it’s easy enough to forget about the humble kernel of malt, even though it’s been the foundation of beer for more than 10,000 years. Sure, hops have the luster of über coolness, but it’s important to keep in mind that without malt, there would be no... View Article

As beer enthusiasts, we know there is a difference between simple, enjoyable drinking and a more serious activity called tasting. Drinking is mindless, while tasting has structure. Drinking comes naturally, while tasting requires training and effort. Mastering the latter opens a lot of doors and steps us up in seriousness and prestige in the world... View Article

As you sip that IPA, have you ever pondered what it is about the bracing bitterness that inspires such passion? People may like malt, but they love hops, sometimes beyond all reason. It verges on sickness, in the most glorious way, most certainly an obsession. From the earliest days of beer, bitter herbs have being... View Article

Of all the substances that one can study, imbibe, inhale or ingest, beer seems less likely to illuminate the inner workings of one’s mind than just about anything. But pursued as the object of study, beer forces us to confront the mysterious inner workings of our brain that in normal life remain hidden. As we... View Article